the mysterious one

[nobody-like-z]

aaron lorenzo zima // aaron z from 4*Town *************************************************** Name: Aaron Lorenzo Zima Nicknames: Aaron Z / "Z" Magic status: Mundus possessed by a shadow demon* Nationality: Canadian Ethnicity: Black, Haitian, Filipino Pronouns: He/him Accent: Canadian Height: 5'10.5 Build: Lean and tall-- looks skinnier than he actually is since he's gotten muscles from sports, break dance, and working on fishing boats Complexion: Brown Eye colour: Dark brown Hair colour/length/style: Wild, overgrown curls that could probably be even more beautiful if he did some kind of haircare routine. But alas. Often scruffy around the face, only shaves once a week. Tattoos/piercings/daily jewelry: Pierced ears, pierced nose. Face tattoos-- an apple icon below his eye, LBE on his forehead, and two 'x' tattoos when he closes his eyes.

What would you find if you Googled them?  The announcements about 4*town only and links to an old soundcloud where he put up music, but all the music has since been taken down. What natives would know about them:  He is one of the 4*Town members soon to debut and he comes from Robaire's hometown. That's about it because he keeps to himself Insta: @4townaaronz // rebelzephyr Twitter: @4townaaronz // rebelzephyr Lives: 420 Sycamore Drive *Read more about Shadow Demons here!

[nobody-like-z]

Homecoming Kings || Beach Boyz

[nobody-like-robaire]

If Robbie hadn't long mastered the poker-face, he might've grimaced here. It wasn't as if he... hated pop. He loved all music, obviously, but his big loves did lie in R&B, Ballads and yeah, rock--

But those weren't as 'consumable' to the general audience. What had someone once said to him? It was called popular music for a reason? Robbie hated that it usually meant they were forcing themselves to toe the line between good pop music and the kind that was forced to live in the limbo-hell of general store music.

Of course, he also couldn't just say: well, our manager wanted us to make basic pop music to churn out because it sells well, easily goes viral on tiktok and is easy to market... But that was okay, because (unfortunately) he was Robaire! So of course he had a media-ready answer for that.

One that started with another easy laugh and shrug of his shoulders. "We have five members with very drastic music tastes and opinions, naturally-- but that was the really cool thing about making this album with the guys. Coming together and finding that common ground between us, and that ended up being pop! So that's why the general backbone of the album reflects that genre." Robbie answered easily, his hand gesturing vaguely.

"That's not to say there aren't tracks on this album that don't slightly stray from that, because I do feel like a few of them definitely connect more with certain member's styles. Like personally - I love a ballad. 1 True Love was definitely something I rallied for, and you'll find tracks like that for every member, so.. I'm actually really curious if the fans will be able to pair up the song's vibes with the members behind them."

Or... alternatively which songs each member absolutely loathed - like Aaron Z and Boom Boom.

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

Ah, great job bullshitting, Robaire.

Though...maybe it was true. Pop was so broad, a big catch-all kinda genre that yeah, most people liked some pop. Even if you weren't a Britney Spears person (though...c'mon, even Aaron Z liked Britney Spears), then maybe you were closer to a Maroon 5 or Benson Boone kinda person. Maybe you didn't fuck with Taylor Swift, but you could get down with Sabrina Carpenter.

Basically, pop was an all-you-can-eat buffet. Take what you want. Leave what you don't. Don't be an asshole.

(Though thinkin' in that metaphor...weren't all genres like that? Aaron liked a lot of alternative rock and RnB, but it's not like he fucked with every artists in those genres...)

"Ah, I see! I also love a ballad," said Erin, getting closer to the camera like she might be trying to share a secret with Robaire. "Probably one of my favorites too! And you know, we love ballads here in Quebec! I'd love to see that one become the next single."

Aaron gave a cursory nod to show he hadn't yet zoned out.

"So, I also wanted to ask, what is it like being in a band with each other? It's so special, having someone you grew up with on this journey with you, isn't it?"

@nobody-like-robaire

[nobody-like-z]

Homecoming Kings || Beach Boyz

[nobody-like-robaire]

Robaire was fully prepared if Aaron didn't take the bait. He was used to that actually, being able to navigate around non-verbal responses or just soft affirmatives. However, Aaron did respond, and Robbie's smile grew even larger as his fingers gently tapped against the back of the other man's shoulder.

Partly due to the fact he answered at all, but also with the fondness of the memory. Their vault of 8tracks playlists were probably long gone, but that distinct thought was as vivid as ever.

He couldn't help the immediate breath that slipped through his lips at Erin's (ironic that he just considered the Erin versus Aaron of it all) question, his brows knotting like the task was almost too great of one to consider.

And.. well, for a music lover, it might've been. To think of one song or artist to represent Canadian music history?

But his hesitation meant something incredible happened; Aaron offered up an answer first. Of his own accord.

Immediately Robbie's gaze slipped back to the side, watching Aaron as his smile softened a fair bit. He was hyperaware of Aaron's answer, of course, knowing how much that album meant to Aaron, how connected it was to his life, to growing up. Aaron had actually been the one to introduce Robbie to Arcade Fire, naturally.

"Oh uh-" He realized he'd been asked as well, his focus having solely been on Aaron before he turned back to the camera and cleared his throat. "...That's a hard one, like I said there's so many talented artist that came from Canada but-... maybe D.O.A? They're like the founding father's of punk rock, which is really neat."

And also like... incredibly politically involved in the best way. Not that Robaire was going to outright say that, of course - dare they take a stance on anything but... the implication was always there.

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

"Wow a lot of rock and alternative love then!" exclaimed Erin. "That's surprising coming from two pop stars. What drew you to make pop then?"

Oh, yeah, this was a fuckin' Robaire question for sure. Aaron leaned back. He wasn't touching this one.

Thing was-- Aaron didn't hate pop. Seriously, he didn't. He'd never made pop music, but sure, he listened to some artists here and there. Some pop was really good. Had he ever wanted to become a pop artist? Had he ever imagined himself in a boy band?

No. That was Robaire's doing. That was Robaire's dream.

And when you listened to Robbie talk about that dream.... well, it sounded shiny and irresistible. It was easy to think that it could be his dream too.

The reality was turning out to be something completely different, but honest, that was more the Dick of it all than...the music. Like, Aaron hated motherfuckin' B00M B00M, but not all their songs were that empty. If they had gotten more say in what tracks actually made this EP, then he wouldn't feel so resentful. He'd have a better answer for this lady.

But he had nothin', so Robaire was gonna need to cover his ass.

@nobody-like-robaire

[nobody-like-z]

The Baby Pegasus Interview || Dragon Ball Z

[nobody-like-taehyun]

Finally something incredible.

Taehyun was looking around at all the adorable baby pegasus with wide eyes, a delighted smile stretching across his face. This was exactly what was needed. Baby animals being cute and talking about the band. "Dove Cameron is so cuuuute. Ahhh and so is Goose. And Magpie. And Perrie.... oh also nice to meet you Beck," Taehyun added, acknowledging the handler for a moment before he zeroed in again on the cute animals.

He moved a little closer to Magpie, reaching out slowly so that she could sniff at his hand before he gently reached up to pet her neck. "My heart it's so... this is the best idea for an interview. Hit me with any question, I'm so ready." He giggled as Magpie nudged him lightly with her nose.

"Aaron look look," Taehyun said with a big grin. It felt nice to feel this... light. He hadn't felt that way for the last few weeks. Someone came forward to make sure Taehyun had a mic and the interview people were starting to get things more together.

"Well let's go ahead and start you guys off with the first question. New album and all. Let's start with an easy question. Do you have a favorite song on the album?" Taehyun didn't immediately process the question as he pet Magpie and let her sniff at his clothes. "What? Oh... um. I have lots of favorites. It kinda changes. Today I think it's Nobody Like You. Yesterday it was Boom Boom. Z? Do you have a favorite?"

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

Not gonna lie... this did kind of slap.

Aaron didn't normally fuck with animals. Not that he didn't like them. His grandparents technically had a cat. She was named Jerk, because she was a jerk-- sometimes rubbing up on your legs and other times biting the absolute living goddamn shit outta your ankles and hands if you even tried to give her a friendly scratch between her two ears. She had been the kindest to his grandmother, but took it as a personal offense when his grandmother had died. She still turned up of course. But she always hissed when Aaron came through the door, like she was saying, Oh, this motherfucker again? What have you done with the nice lady who made me chicken?

So. That was the closest thing Aaron ever had to the pet.

Otherwise, he had killed fish for a living.

That background made him cautious. He wondered if the pegasus might smell the blood on him. He believed an animal was smart enough to know something like that-- because...didn't killing a living thing change you anyway? Aaron figured it did. Like his hands were made different now. So, he took a few hesitant steps toward Magpie, following Taehyun's lead, figuring if it didn't attack Taehyun, it might not attack him.

Sure enough, Magpie whinnied and butted up her head against Aaron's hand.

Holy shit. This was the coolest thing he'd ever done in his whole miserable life.

He hesitantly stroked Magpie's snout, as Magpie swished her tail.

"Uh," he said. "Oh. Uh. Nobody Like You, probably. Yeah."

@nobody-like-taehyun

[nobody-like-z]

Homecoming Kings || Beach Boyz

[nobody-like-robaire]

"Oh, for sure." Robaire was quick to answer with a huff of a laugh. "I think that's part of the beauty of it actually - I don't know if people outside of Canada know just how many of their favorite artists and bands are from Canada, you know?" Canadians always seemed to float under a weird radar of being... 'American passing' or something? He wasn't sure, but he'd seen time and time again the surprise of someone learning--

"Wait, they're from Canada!?"

He thought the accents were pretty noticeable. Then again, maybe it was just being from the Quebec region.

"But I mean, who my age didn't grow up with people like The Weeknd, Drake-" He paused to make a small face here-- as if to state his side of the fued without actually stating it "Simple Plan, Sum 41-- Justin, obviously. Avril Lavigne. I feel like all of our parents were obsessed with Bryan Adams, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Rush or --- I mean, come on, Celine Dion?-- Absolute Queen, by the way. One of our first performances, the Aaron's and I had to pay respect to Canadian's own B4-4. Canada is full of incredibly talented people. You heard it everywhere you went in Baie-Comeau. I feel like I can say with like... a huge certainty that they helped shaped my taste in music....-"

He turned to Aaron Z, almost fully, like he were having a casual conversation with a friend, rather than a structured interview. "Do you remember all the time we spent trying to remix those old CD's our families had? We were really trying to make that Maestro Fresh Wes remix happen."

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

Aaron had leaned back and relaxed to the point that he nearly closed his eyes, content to listen to Robbie's warm voice as he brought him back to his childhood-- back home.

'Course, music was huge in his house too. It was one of the only things he ever actually talked about with his grandpa. Jessica liked to put on the radio too. Sun up to sun down, there was always someone singing-- sometimes Joni, sometimes Celine. He got that music in his blood, the same way he got salt in his curls when he stepped outside.

His eyes had nearly closed when suddenly-- Robbie nudged him again.

Aaron sat up straighter and met his gaze. "Oh--" A smile twitche on his lips. "Uh-- I remember, yeah."

"Really? You two made mixtapes?" asked Erin.

"No, not...they were CDs, not tapes," said Aaron. "And then we uh...we did make um, 8tracks playlists. But I always liked... you know. When you had a physical thing."

"Right, very nostalgic," agreed Erin. "If you were going to recommend some old Canadian musicians for your fans to listen to, who would you say? Or maybe a particular song?"

Aaron hesitated. But then he answered first. "Maybe uh...Funeral, the album by Arcade Fire?" His dad fucking loved that album. Aaron had even learned Wake Up on guitar when he was like 12.

"Oh, an alternative song! What about you, Robaire?"

@nobody-like-robaire

[nobody-like-z]

The Baby Pegasus Interview || Dragon Ball Z

[nobody-like-taehyun]

This was the best day on the job so far.

Because what was the job? To pet baby Pegasus and answer questions! Best thing that Dick could have arranged for him. Taehyun grinned at Aaron Z. "We get to pet the baby pegasus! Pegasi? There are multiple. I don't know what the plural is but this is so exciting! Let's go let's go!"

He reached for Aaron Z's hand and started tugging him enthusiastically toward the stables. When they stepped in he could see a camera set up in a larger space there where they would lead out the pegasus and where they could sit and pet them and all that.

"Ahhhhh! Look look... that one's so cute, look at it's little muzzle." He enthused, though he kept his voice low because he knew horses could spook with noises and pegasus were similar in nature.

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

Pegasus? Like the horses with wings?!

Aaron didn't even get to ask the question. Because Taehyun grabbed him and hauled him inside and he saw for himself-- these tiny foals, black, grey, brown, and even one mostly white. His jaw went slack as he stared at the speckled brown one stretch out its wings and yawn, while the speckled grey pranced forward to stick its muzzle out at them.

"Dude," said Aaron. He didn't know what else to say.

"They're pretty, yeah?" a voice came from behind them. Aaron turned around.

There was a girl there. She didn't look that much older than him. She was wearing jeans with her shirt tucked in and she walked to the pen, her sand-colored hair pulled up in a messy bun, revealing her pointed pixie ears.

"I'm Beck! I work with the pegasus, so I'll be their handler while you do your interview. These are all really sweet foals, but Goose here can be a nibbler!" She said as she stroked the grey one's muzzle. "She's just curious, though!"

"Goose."

"Yup! This is Goose. The black and white one is Magpie. The speckled brown one is Peregrine, but we call him Perrie, and then the white one is Dove Cameron."

"Like...the actress," said Aaron.

Beck grinned. "We thought it was funny."

@nobody-like-taehyun

[nobody-like-z]

The Baby Pegasus Interview || Dragon Ball Z

[nobody-like-z]

Today's promo activity was not in their infamous dance studio.

Nope. Today, Aaron got a text from their PR specialist to meet at Pride U's campus-- specifically, the stables behind the magizoology department. He blinked blearily at the message. What the hell had Dick arranged now...

Was he about to get his hand bit off by some crazy magical creature?

Still. He turned up when he was told to and saw Taehyun bouncing up and down already.

"Yo," he greeted. "You know what we're doing today?" He eyed the stables nervously.

@nobody-like-taehyun

[nobody-like-z]

Homecoming Kings || Beach Boyz

[nobody-like-robaire]

A nod.

Okay, it was something. A little less than Robbie thought he could get, but maybe he'd just underestimated exactly how uncomfortable Aaron Z really was with all of this. Robaire figured this might be a little easier; a 'familiar' tabloid they'd basically grown up with, on a video call rather than in person.

He guessed he always could have reminded Aaron that these things got edited down so much afterwards too, that there was really no risk of saying anything 'stupid' or 'wrong'.

Robaire felt himself laugh at the question though - a light sound as he raised his hand innocently, like he couldn't even believe the mere thought of considering the Billboard. "I mean, I guess that's always an amazing goal, right? Though I don't know, maybe it's just me still struggling to process this whole thing but that feels more a dream, really. It would be.. amazing for our first album to hit that kind of landmark, you know?"

Who wouldn't want to be on the Billboard Top Ten?

"I wouldn't say there's a strategy here though. It's just an amazing opportunity to be able to get our music out there for people to enjoy at all, and I think-- The really cool thing about 4*Town is that we do have five distinctly different voices and tastes and experiences between the members. Even between us-" Robaire gestured his free hand between himself and Z, another small squeeze to the back of his neck. "-our tastes and thoughts for music vary so much. A lot of the post-production remixes are our own spins on the songs. Things re-imagined from our own point of view, with our own influences on it, rather than what was decided as a whole for the group - so I wouldn't count out a super-cut of the album one day with those included."

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

The more Robbie talked, the more Aaron's muscles loosened and relaxed, his shoulders sloping down. He let his legs spread another inch wide. Didn't uncross his arms though-- honestly, Aaron wasn't even aware he was doing that shit. It was instinct, like a turtle staying in its shell when too much noise was happening all around it.

But, at least for now, he didn't feel like jumping outta his skin.

And the creature was quiet. Unbothered.

"Wow! That's amazing," said Erin the reporter. "I'm sure your fans will love that."

Yeah, if we ever actually get it out, thought Aaron to himself. It had been a goddamn miracle they'd pulled this album outta their asses in time.

"Let's rewind now," said Erin. "Obviously, we're a Canadian publication and it's not every day we get someone from our hometowns. How do you think growing up in Baie-Comeau shaped your music tastes? Did you listen to any Canadian musicians growing up?"

She glanced between both Aaron and Robaire, but hell no-- Aaron was gonna let Robbie go first.

@nobody-like-robaire

[nobody-like-z]

NAME: Aaron Zima - "Aaron Z" OCCUPATION: 4*Town Boyband Member - Main dancer SECTION: Tail SURVIVAL SKILL: Grew up as a fisherman's son so he's got u on the fish bro MAGICAL SKILL: None REASON FOR BEING ON FLIGHT 2015: On Tour, flying from one stop to another. PERSONAL ITEM: Bag of coke he hid in his asshole in his shoe. PERSON OF SCIENCE/FAITH: Faith

BIOGRAPHY:

Aaron was never supposed to be successful. Or happy.

He was supposed to be just like the other men in his family-- an alcoholic who worked on the fishing boats. He would have probably done that too, if his childhood friend, Robaire, hadn't made him audition for this little group called 4*Town. Aaron couldn't believe it when all the hard work actually...went somewhere. When people started listening to their music and singing along.

Who knew he was gonna end up touring arenas all over the world?

It all felt too good to be true, especially with his best friend along with him. So good that Aaron started to get panic attacks, thinking it might all go away.

But he found a solution for that: drugs. Just a little bump to get him hype and stop the nerves.

Lately, though, Aaron's been having to use more and more to get that same high. Especially as tensions in the group rise and arguments become more frequent. Some of the boys think he has a problem but nah, man, this is just what being a fuckin' superstar is about, right? He's gotta play the part. He's got it all under control...

Well, he did. Until the plane crashed.

[nobody-like-z]

4*Town's Aarons Compete in a Compliment Battle! || Squaaron

[nobody-like-aaron-t]

T was loving the TikTok trend stuff. It was like, half of what he did in his freetime anyway, so this was right up his alley.

This one was a little more structured than some of the others, which had his curiosity piqued until he was in the studio and saw who he was paired with and what the challenge was.

His stomach did some weird little flips. Or maybe that was just the demon resettling as Aaron clearly annoyed the PR lady by whistling loudly while they waited for Z to show up.

It wasn't like he was avoiding Z or anything. Kind of hard to do that with your roommate. And it wasn't like things were entirely weird with him, but... Sometimes things were a little weird. Or tense.

At the question from Aaron, T raised his shoulder in a shrug. As the PR lady excitedly explained, his brow furrowed. "We have a discord?" he asked at the same time Z repeated 'ships' back to her.

Wait, people shipped them? Why? Because they had the same name? Because their dispositions were so opposite? Because they were both Filipino? (god he hoped it wasn't that one, that would be super problematic of their fans)

"What kinds of compliments? Were they like, ones submitted to the discord or do we gotta make 'em up on the spot or something?" T asked the PR lady.

[outfit]

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

"We found them on social media!" chirped this deranged lady. "So yeah, we found some comments on Discord, but mostly looked at Twitter, Tumblr, that kind of thing! You're going to love them. They're so creative."

"Creative," repeated Aaron. He glanced at T again, who seemed unbothered, at least--

Good.

They had never actually talked about what happened in Greece, and right after, they'd been thrown into an epically busy schedule in preparation for the album, so yeah, things weren't weird. But sometimes... things got weird. Temporarily. Like while they were working out and made prolonged eye contact while lifting weights, or when they changed after a shower or, in Aaron's case, slept naked.

In his defense, he never meant to do that. He always woke up in the night, and boom, he was naked. He blamed the creature. It was a freaky motherfucker.

Anyway, Aaron T wasn't avoiding eye contact with him right now. That was a win.

"Here, take a look! This one is really good--" she passed a slip to Aaron.

He unfolded it.

"I would pay one million dollars for Aaron T to squeeze my head between his godlike thighs until I popped like a watermelon, fire emoji fire emoji fire emoji," drolled Aaron. "... Wait, this is about T."

"Yes! It's a battle. So you read them out loud to each other, trying to get each other to break. So you'll want to be over the top!" giggled the PR specialist.

@nobody-like-aaron-t

[nobody-like-z]

Feeling Thirsty? || Jezze

[nobody-like-jesse]

For the record, Jesse hated this part of everything. The interviews and TikToks and a plethora of other stupid internet trends. It all served to remind him that in reality this wasn't exactly what he wanted. He wanted to be more behind the scenes, focused solely on the music. Not out in the forefront dealing with a shit ton of people he didn't actually care about.

But none of that mattered at the moment.

At the moment, he was getting ready to read thirst tweets with Z. He was beyond uncomfortable with the fact he had been chosen to do this. He rather enjoyed not actually reading a lot of the comments about the group, about him. After the whole... debacle with those stupid pictures it had become something he was adamant about for himself. He'd hated how it had made him feel. How it felt like he was under a microscope. It was easy to decide not to read too much into; to do what he was best at which was focusing on the music.

"That's what they said," he sighed as Z came into the basement turned studio turned makeshift media room. "Can't believe that Dick's actually making us do this. Seems a bit... much." He pushed a hand through his hair, tousling the carefully styled locks into something that felt much more comfortable for him. "Got a few before the call starts."

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

A few was not enough time.

But there were probably not enough minutes in the goddamn world that would prepare Aaron for reading thirst tweets.

He pressed his tongue against the side of his cheek, then glanced up from the sheet at Jesse. Well. Down at Jesse. Dude was short.

This shit was gonna be worse for him, right? Then again, maybe his horny little demon might get something from it...?

"You think your uh...you know. You think it'll enjoy it, at least?" Aaron said, voice falling lower so the PR specialist lady wouldn't hear.

@nobody-like-jesse

[nobody-like-z]

4*Town's Aarons Compete in a Compliment Battle! || Squaaron

[nobody-like-z]

Another day, another dumb-as-hell promo shit that Aaron was being subjected to. Though the trendy meme shit, all things considered, was better than the straightforward interviews. He totally froze during those. But doing stupid shit like eating British snacks? He could do that.

He rolled down into their dance-studio-turned-film-shoot, and his eyebrows quirked for a single second.

Looks like he was paired with Aaron T today.

"Sup," he said. He picked up the sheet to see what weird TikTok trend they were doing today.

"Compliment battle?" he uttered. He looked up at Aaron. "You know what that is?"

"Oh, the fans are DYING for this one!" exclaimed their PR specialist from the side. "You'll be reading over-the-top tweets to each other, trying to get each other to laugh. According to our survey of the Discord, you both were one of the most requested ships!"

"Ships," said Aaron. He knew what a ship was, but he just couldn't believe she'd said the term out loud, seriously, with her whole chest. "We just talking like Tumblr posts now?"

[outfit]

@nobody-like-aaron-t

[nobody-like-z]

4*Town's Aarons Compete in a Compliment Battle! || Squaaron

[nobody-like-z]

Let's Get A Slushie || Zap

[april-von-drake]

"Okay, first of all: blonde is everyone's type, excuse you." She reached over with the hand holding the nail brush and smacked his chest before going back to her work.

"Secondly: May is so real and you've probably seen her but confused her for me or June. We are triplets, after all. She looks like me. And she looks like June. And she's definitely at our parties. Which you've been to," she said, definitively.

"You can't lead a horse to water, though. I need to rig up some way for them to meet organically and preferably a bit horny."

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

Aaron snorted again. "April, I dunno if Robaire even gets horny."

He probably shouldn't talk about Robaire like this with April but-- he also wasn't sure Robaire would mind? Because Robaire hadn't ever expressed that kinda shit to Aaron. They'd never talked about it. Some dudes did, like in the locker room, talking about this or that girl, wanting to smash some chick or who they had already hooked up. Aaron hadn't even started having sex until after high school, so he'd defaulted to being a locked vault. People made assumptions about his sex life and Aaron let them.

People made assumptions about Robaire too. There were all kinds of rumors. Either he was a saint-- the relationship type-- or he was a player, considering all the girls who had fallen head over heels for him.

Still, he'd never been interested in any of them.

He shrugged. "Though sure. Maybe he would like May. Maybe they're soulmates. Who knows?"

@april-von-drake

[nobody-like-z]

Homecoming Kings || Beach Boyz

[nobody-like-robaire]

There was a slight shift in Robaire's expression as soon as the PR woman turned away from them, Robbie's fingers pressing into Aaron's knee one more time before they drew back entirely to fold politely into his own lap.

Though, that last squeeze was probably more for himself than for Z, given he knew he was nervous too. As much as he emanated that outgoing energy, that made-for-the-stage enthusiasm, it didn't mean Robbie didn't still feel that same twist in his gut. Part of him wondered if-... Well.

If either of their families would see this. Unlikely, he figured.. At least, on his front. he hadn't heard a peep from his since he'd left home. They'd gone back to the Pod... - as far as Robbie knew, they hadn't come back to land since.

Part of him hoped maybe somehow they still would...

Robbie blinked, shifting in his chair as that smile broke out across his lips - a wave of calm breaking over him as he fell into that persona he'd long since perfected.

"Oh, I don't know about us, but I feel like we're talking to an international pop-star. It's an absolute honor - I mean, getting to talk to you might be the first time it's actually sinking in for us honestly." Robbie immediately teased, a good natured laugh slipping from him as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his ankle over his knee - the arm closest to Aaron immediately resting on the back of the other man's chair.

Just enough that his fingers could softly brush against the fabric of Aaron's shirt just out of the camera's view.

"It's been... - I don't even have the words to describe it. I genuinely don't believe it has sunk in though. We've just been so busy-" He turned his gaze to Aaron, an easy raise of his brow. "-I'm not even sure you've seen outside the studio in a while with the post production mixes you've been working on."

@nobody-like-z

[nobody-like-z]

Post-production mixes?

If Aaron didn't have a camera on him and some stranger staring him down, he might've snorted. Sure, he worked on post production mixes...that Dick refused to use.

He and Jesse had both tried that shit. They even worked on a track together, a good-as-hell track too, but Dick said it didn't "fit the vision" of their debut. "Maybe next time," he'd dismissed them both.

If there were a next time.

Though so far... sales weren't bad. Which was nice, but kind of pissed Aaron off, since he didn't want to admit that Dick was right. Nothing was more annoying to him than Dick being good at his job.

Swallowing, Aaron's response lagged while he figured out what to say, and eventually settled on-- a nod.

"Wow, post-production mixes! You planning to release any remixes?" said Erin. "I know that's a strategy for many bands. What's the goal for this album anyway? Top Ten on Billboard?"

@nobody-like-robaire

[nobody-like-z]

Feeling Thirsty? || Jezze

[nobody-like-z]

Aaron was back in the goddamn dance studio, only it hadn't actually been a dance studio for a couple of days now-- at least, it didn't feel like it. Instead, they'd made it into their makeshift filming studio as they did ridiculous fuckin' promo content. They conducted a lot of remote interviews here but also did like... stupid viral trends? And TikToks?

Aaron couldn't believe he was on TikTok.

Now, things were about to get a lot worse and a lot more stupid as Aaron rolled up for his session with Jesse-- they were all filming shit together in groups of two or three to show "band chemistry" -- and looked down at the call sheet to say--

"We're doing thirst tweets?" Aaron exclaimed. He looked up at Jesse, his alarm obvious. "Like, the horny motherfuckin' deranged shit about sitting on people's faces? Dude."

@nobody-like-jesse

[rorybuggedout]

Dominic Fike